What anti-malware software(s) do you trust and use?

[divinenews]

What antimalware software(s) do you trust and use?

Over the years, I have had much trouble from malware infections, until 2 years ago when I started using a combination of 3 anti-malwares:

1. Emsisoft antimalware
2. Zamana anti-logger
3. VoodooShield

I was using Comodo firewall but had a lot of trouble with periodic updates from them.


I ask this question of members and visitors to this great forum because I read and hear news almost daily of new malware threats being introduced by malicious "bad actors." I am simply trying to stay current, if not ahead of, these malware and other invasive threats that can suddenly damage my computer operating system.

So, I ask for your ideas about how we can better protect ourselves based on your experience and quality information you are finding.

Thank you, friends and fellow forum members.

 

[khanyash]

I personally don't like and think it is a waste of resources to use multiple software for a very little gain in protection.

I have total 8 systems, 7 laptops & 1 desktop. All Windows 10 Pro 64-bit.

Desktop is a home system used by all. I have Kaspersky Internet Security on it (Default settings).

2 laptops have Kaspersky Internet Security (Default settings).

3 laptops have Malwarebytes Antimalware + Windows Defender (Default settings).

I use Comodo Firewall only on my personal laptop (Proactive config + HIPS enabled, and AutoSandbox disabled). Currently my test laptop is damaged, display prob.

I have tested all the popular software and find Kaspersky Internet Security the best for majority of users i.e average/novice.

Malwarebytes Antimalware + Windows Defender is a good combo too. But I would suggest this combo only if you know to work out any issues, general or malware. I can take care of any issues so use this combo on my family systems, all are average users, and so far no issues since 8-10 months.

I personally find your setup overkill. I think you don't need Zemana or VoodooShield, I would go with Emsisoft + VoodooShield and uninstall Zemana.

You have used Comodo Firewall. What do you mean by trouble with periodic updates?
If you know to use Comodo Firewall then it's the best of all, light & near perfect security solution.

If you go with Comodo Firewall, I would suggest Proactive config + AutoSandbox, and HIPS disabled, rest settings at default.
If you would like to use HIPS then you can use my setup but remember HIPS generate quite a few popups.

I too will use Proactive config + AutoSandbox, and HIPS disabled once they add an "Ask" option for AutoSandbox.
And I personally think, if you know to use Comodo Firewall then you don't need any antivirus with it. I don't use any antivirus.

You may try Comodo Cloud Antivirus. I would suggest to set AutoSandbox to "Ask" for Untrusted files, and there are 2 Network options in the settings to block connections for programs running in Sandbox, enable those too.

Remember, my suggestions to use Comodo Firewall or CCAV is only if you know to work with Comodo software.

 

[spamtrash]

Tu byl sobie post, ale @Kamelka ma pretensje ze jestem "ich ekspertem do wszystkiego". Wiec juz nie ma.

 

[divinenews]

I personally don't like and think it is a waste of resources to use multiple software for a very little gain in protection.

I have total of 8 systems, 7 laptops & 1 desktop. All Windows 10 Pro 64-bit.

The desktop is a home system used by all. I have Kaspersky Internet Security on it (Default settings).

2 laptops have Kaspersky Internet Security (Default settings).

3 laptops have Malwarebytes Antimalware + Windows Defender (Default settings).

I use Comodo Firewall only on my personal laptop (Proactive config + HIPS enabled, and AutoSandbox disabled). Currently, my test laptop is damaged, display prob.

I have tested all the popular software and find Kaspersky Internet Security the best for the majority of users i.e average/novice.

Malwarebytes Antimalware + Windows Defender is a good combo too. But I would suggest this combo only if you know to work out any issues, general or malware. I can take care of any issues so use this combo on my family systems, all are average users, and so far no issues since 8-10 months.

I personally find your setup overkill. I think you don't need Zemana or VoodooShield, I would go with Emsisoft + VoodooShield and uninstall Zemana.

You have used Comodo Firewall. What do you mean by trouble with periodic updates?
If you know to use Comodo Firewall then it's the best of all, light & near perfect security solution.

If you go with Comodo Firewall, I would suggest Proactive config + AutoSandbox, and HIPS disabled, rest settings at default.
If you would like to use HIPS then you can use my setup but remember HIPS generate quite a few popups.

I too will use Proactive config + AutoSandbox, and HIPS disabled once they add an "Ask" option for AutoSandbox.
And I personally think, if you know to use Comodo Firewall then you don't need any antivirus with it. I don't use any antivirus.

You may try Comodo Cloud Antivirus. I would suggest setting AutoSandbox to "Ask" for Untrusted files, and there are 2 Network options in the settings to block connections for programs running in Sandbox, enable those too.

Remember, my suggestions to use Comodo Firewall or CCAV is only if you know to work with Comodo software.

----------------------------------

Khanyash, Like you I love Comodo Firewall, used it for years and have promoted it on various forums. ...It works great for me and makes me feel safer than any other firewall, especially the Microsoft firewall.

....My problem is the occasional update has a bug in it that messes up my operating system. When I try to uninstall it with Iobit Pro uninstaller or even Revo Uninstaller Pro, the firewall would not uninstall completely to allow reinstallation. ...I searched comodo forum, sent messages to them asking for how to uninstall completely and reinstall the firewall. Nothing worked.p.

...I even used uninstallers made by Comodo firewall users found on their forum. ...After using them, the uninstaller said
all the firewall and any remnants were uninstalled, but when I tried to reinstall after rebooting, the new Comodo firewall said it could not be installed because the former firewall was not completely uninstalled. ...I have it on my wife's laptop but it shows an upgrade is available, but when I try to upgrade it fails to reach completion.
...So, I finally gave up.


Khanyash, if you can help me understand a way to totally uninstall when updates don't work and mess my system up so much I have to reformat my entire drive, then I will install it immediately. ...Am I the only one reading this who has had a problem with Comodo upgrades or uninstalling to reinstall? ...Read the Comodo forum and you will see others begging for the Comodo corp to help them. ...All you will get is some users so frustrated they are trying to build their own private uninstaller and share it with other frustrated users like myself.

...My conclusion: Comodo makes a great firewall, maybe the best available at this time, and it is free. ...But the thing is buggy when it comes to occasional upgrades that mess up my operating system, I can't find a way to uninstall and reinstall. ...I don't think Comodo tests its upgrades like true professional companies usually do before releasing them as "stable" versions.



Thank you Khanyash for your configuration suggestions. ...The next time I am willing to install Comodo's firewall after I have had to reformat my drive for some reason, I will use them.

 

[divinenews]

Looking on efficacy of that what you have on your machine, you could potentailly stick with Windows Defender(*)... however:
1. do not combine various programs because the results can be opposite to your intentions. for example: Emsisoft antimalware home protects against keyloggers, so what is a point of having Zemana? Same time, Emsisoft claims that it protects via behavior blocker, so what is the point of having in and VoodooShield? Choose something, and choose or set of individually protecting programs or one Security System.
2. Nobody should recommend you to use one specific or try to convince you that one solution is above another...
2a. Each slution is different... slightly. Use your own wisdom, do the homework and check. Majority of the vendors are making trials available. Read the test results here and there (to give you a few examples:

Zaloguj lub Zarejestruj się aby zobaczyć!

;

Zaloguj lub Zarejestruj się aby zobaczyć!

;

Zaloguj lub Zarejestruj się aby zobaczyć!

;

Zaloguj lub Zarejestruj się aby zobaczyć!

) or perform your won ones using e.g.

Zaloguj lub Zarejestruj się aby zobaczyć!

2b. You did not provided your working config: hardware setup and/or soft you work with, standalone machine(s) or active domain/company/home network with shared resources? Depending from this, the approach may differ (believe me or not, but shared printer at home MAKES difference because you do need to keep the SMB open, to name a main point).
2c. The software develops... in both directions, sometimes it is a positive movement, sometimes it is strange... let's take a closer look on the Avast (Free version): Since Avast acquired AVG and Piriform, the free edition of Avast became loaded with crapware, e.g. "Avast cleanup" (clone of CCLeaner) is actively promoted as "Next gen tuneup and cleanup for your PC".

(*) since it refresh with Win 10, Windows Defender seem to be at least as good as the majoirty of free solutions, while is sometimes equal or better than paid ones (refer to the tests results above) and gets better. Just relatively recently it got the layer of protection against the ransomware, for example and the folders protection as well as Exploit Guard with four components increasing intrusion prevention capabilities. Plus, please remember that all and any security soft comes with a hughe privacy concern, because as per definition such soft must have full access to all your resources and data. MS already would have it (assuming you're on Windows..?), so staying with Defender would mean that you are not adding new group to this circle who looks from behind of your shoulder.

To quickly go to summary: do not ask for advice, as any will be worthless and can easily convert into inflammatory trolling thread. Do your own research and try this or/and that. Stick with one, as combination of "Internet Security" with "bits and bobs" like separate firewall or antikeylogger is not a good idea (if you want an evidence, you can try to find here a thread where one of the users - joa if I'm correct - tried to use everything to protect against all world, and she converted her machine into something what was barely usable).

Plus, let's be honest: whoever develops protecting software is an employee. He or she works 8hrs and goes home to play with the dog, and the aim of their work is: to get the salary. Same time, exploits, malicious code, trojans, ransomware and other funny staff is in a huge part developed by group of real enthusiasts who are spending all their time and effort to find a hole. I'm not saying that the above is 100% right, because there are exceptions: APT groups are employees, while there is a huge circle of white and red hats who are enthusiasts too, but the statistics are predominating. Guess who would win this war on the end of the day?
Therefore, ONLY advice you should have here is:

WHATEVER you'd choose to use as the protecting solution, DO external backup.

---------------------------

spamtrash,

I keep hearing that Emsisoft protects against keyloggers and that I don't need it, so I wrote/sent an email message to their support/technical team. Below is their response concerning using Zamana Antilogger with Emsisoft antimalware pro:

RE: Regarding what Emsisoft protects me from. [Ticket#566713]

Emsisoft Support
Sun, May 5, 12:08 AM



Hello Elijah, and thank you for contacting Emsisoft Support.

The answer is complex rather than simple, and without knowing exactly what mechanisms Zemana Antilogger uses and how, which of course they will not share with us or even you, we cannot thoroughly answer.

Emsisoft Anti-Malware protects against malware on your own computer that may attempt to 'phone home' with your data, among many other things. While visiting a properly administrated website with properly configured SSL services, you would not have a problem. The problem could possibly appear when visiting a site that for some reason does NOT have good security in place.

Also, neither product can protect you against hacks directed at the sites you visit of course, but that is an entirely different issue over which you and we have no control.

As Zemana Antilogger also operates on your computer, there is only so much either product can do, since once any data leaves your computer en route to an assumed well-maintained website, both we and Zemana are powerless to protect it.

If in doubt, use them both. I am not aware of any issues causing the two programs to conflict at this time.

David Biggar
--
Emsisoft Ltd -

Zaloguj lub Zarejestruj się aby zobaczyć!

support@emsisoft.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So,
This member and spokesperson of their team could or would not say that Emsisoft antimalware or any feature of their great software that I love and will continue to use protects my info from keyloggers that want to steal my valuable passwords, banking information or anything else I type into my machine.

He even suggests I should use both software if I am concerned over this issue. ...The only problem I see is if I did not have enough ram installed so that multiple defense software would slow down my machine. ...I learned a long time ago to have at least 16 mg of ram installed on my machine so it does not get too hot or too slow.

My philosophy is this: Nobody can have enough of the best-rated self-defense software on their machines since new threats are coming from "black-hat" bad operators at us by the minute. ...Even the big corporations and the United States government has "Fortune 500" companies using supercomputers as firewalls trying to stop what is coming to invade their computers/systems.

I personally will continue to use Zamana Anti-logger as long as I can continue to afford it or win it in a contest.

My conclusion until I hear a better argument is what you said at the end of your post, "WHATEVER you'd choose to use as the protecting solution, DO external backup."

Thank you again, spamtrash.

 

[khanyash]

@divinenews

Download & Install with "Offline Installer". It comes handy later.

Uninstall suggestions
* Uninstall through Windows "Programs and Features". Don't use 3rd party uninstallers & Uninstaller available on Comodo Forum.
* If uninstall through Windows "Programs and Features" fails then restart the system and run "Offline Installer" you had downloaded to install, it will detect the failed uninstall & offer to uninstall it.

From a long time, I didn't experience uninstall probs. In the past, I had (2-3) uninstall probs and the above mentioned method always worked for me.

Other suggestions
* It's always good to update through the built-in updater, it keeps the settings intact.
* Over-install or downloading the new version & installing over the previous version reverts some settings to defaults.

Have you tried CCAV yet?
I have used CCAV & always liked it too. I am back to CCAV, running well & light here.
I would say, give a try to CCAV & see how you find it. You may use the settings mentioned in my previous post.

 

[divinenews]

Thank you khanyash,

I am going to try this in a couple of days when I have time and then I will report back to you.

If this works, then it should be posted on the Comodo forum for people like me who love the software but need this solution.

Thank you for putting up with my frustration.